Around the Big 12: A Day Late and a Bit Surprised

The Big 12 is….good?

Well well well, what do we have here? Multiple wins over P5 opponents, close victories on the road, and some QB clarity emerging across the Big 12.

The Big 12 now holds the following records against other conferences this season:

• ACC: 1-0
• Big Ten: 1-2
• Pac-12: 2-0
• SEC: 0-1
• G5: 9-1

Those numbers shift a bit more when you add in UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, and BYU:

• ACC: 1-1
• Big Ten: 2-2
• Pac-12: 5-0
• SEC: 0-1
• G5: 12-1

The Big 12 and its future squad have looked pretty good through three weeks of the 2021 football season, and now that most enter conference play this week, we’ll start to see how things shake out head to head.

#3 Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 16

What a slog, this game. Oklahoma looked lethargic, allowing Nebraska to stifle them on defense for the majority of the game, but D.J. Graham’s insane interception on 4th and 18 slowed the Huskers just enough to keep a comeback from happening.

Next up: vs. West Virginia

#14 Iowa State 48, UNLV 3

Coming off a disappointing loss to Iowa, the Cyclones needed a pick-me-up game to get back on track. Dismantling UNLV was just what the doctor ordered, as ISU fans invaded Vegas and drank them out of house and home before, during, and after the runaway win.

Next up: @ Baylor

West Virginia 27, #15 Virginia Tech 21

I definitely didn’t see this upset coming, but Neal Brown now has a signature victory in year 3 to placate some of the naysayers as West Virginia held on late to knock off the Hokies. The Mountaineers didn’t make it easy, and their offense sputtered throughout the final 20-ish minutes of game time as Virginia Tech tried to mount a comeback.

Next up: @ Oklahoma

Kansas State 38, Nevada 17

Mark this down as another one I didn’t see coming. Will Howard led a rejuvenated Wildcats offense to a nice win over Nevada, scoring three total touchdowns and reassuring fans that maybe the sky isn’t falling with Skylar Thompson out indefinitely.

Next up: @ Oklahoma State

Baylor 45, Kansas 7

I’m becoming more and more intrigued by Gerry Bohanon, as he’s navigated his three warmup games with tremendous composure. Of course, the true test comes this Saturday afternoon as Iowa State’s defense makes their way to Waco.

Next up for Baylor: vs. Iowa State

Next up for Kansas: @ Duke

Texas Tech 54, Florida International 21

The Red Raiders finally seemed to click on offense as they torched FIU for almost 600 yards of offense and seven touchdowns. Now we get to see if this holds up when Tech travels to Austin this weekend.

Next up: @ Texas

Texas 58, Rice 0

Poor Rice didn’t stand a chance after Texas lost to Arkansas last week. The Longhorns destroyed the hapless Owls, and Casey Thompson’s first start of the season went off well enough for Steve Sarkisian to say that he’ll probably be the starter this weekend entering Big 12 play.

Next up: vs. Texas Tech

Oklahoma State 21, Boise State 20

Third time surprised for me this weekend with the Pokes pulling out a close win over Boise State. There are still major questions about this team’s offense heading into Big 12 play.

Next up: vs. Kansas State

Soon to be Big 12

Louisville 43, UCF 35

Next up: BYE

#8 Cincinnati 38, Indiana 21

Next up: BYE

Houston 45, Grambling 0

Next up: vs. Navy

#23 BYU 27, #19 Arizona State 17

Next up: vs. USF